Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Alright Already

Cripes, what a pushy bunch. I take time out from a rare family holiday to write a post with photos of a finished project*and what happens? Almost as one, the readers rise up and shout,

"BUT WHERE'S THE PONCHO?"

Perhaps, like global warming and the war in Afghanistan, it's my own fault. I mustn't have been clear that the pink poncho is not, and was never intended to be, a Christmas gift. It's taking far too long for that, and anyhow it can't be worn in this beastly northern climate until May at the earliest. Not to mention that I am enjoying taking my time with it–finding my own way to shape the hood, experimenting with lace patterns, checking out late-1940s couture draping to figure shaping for the cloak.

Yes, cloak. Not poncho. I know–she asked for a poncho; but there's a problem. I hate ponchos. Hate them. I intend no offense to those who love them; I simply do not share your taste. I find them graceless and droopy. And as I am a child of the 1970s, they are forever associated in my mind with aesthetic nightmares like gloppy terra-cotta pottery, tourist-market serapes and macramé plant hangers. I'll be damned if I'll expose my niece to any of that, even if she begs.

I'm turning out to be a very old-fashioned sort of uncle. No–a very old-fashioned sort of aunt. I find that I have nothing but gender in common with the famous, old-fashioned uncles who spring to mind: Remus, Tom, Scrooge. However I closely resemble quite a few old-fashioned aunts: Polly, March, and especially Aunt Alicia in Gigi.

Like Aunt Alicia, I adore my niece exactly as she is. And I intend to fix her. Indiscriminately catering to small children's natural sartorial whims is dangerous; it leads to college graduates who go grocery shopping in their pajamas. Noble savages are fine and dandy, but I have no intention of taking one to the ballet.

So though I wish dearly for her to love it, the Pink Thing will honor the spirit and not the letter of the request. For example, on my watch we do not wear clothing that sparkles unless we are going to an evening party. Therefore, in lieu of iridescent novelty yarn extruded from a unicorn's ass, I'm using a pretty but serviceable and sensible wool (Cascade 220 Sport) in pure pink.

We have just had a wholly successful fitting of the finished hood. I didn't want to proceed until I was certain it was the right size and shape, with enough drape to be romantic but not so much as to flop backwards and forwards willy-nilly.

A picture:

That's it, there ain't no more. I had to bargain to get this one, because the sun came out and the new (pink) snow saucer from L.L. Bean was calling. The client's response was extremely positive. She even attempted a twirl, but as there are still two balls of yarn attached you can guess what happened.

I hope this answers a bit of the curiosity. All kidding aside, I appreciate your interest in the progress of the design. It jolts me from the natural indolence that is my nature. More to come.

*Floradora V.1.0 made a successful maiden voyage today, carrying gift cards which I hear were used to purchase a hamburger.

What a precious and impish little face! And that non-poncho hooded cape will be glorious. I share your unfortunate childhood memories of the seventies, and was (thank God) never damaged by the fact that I was forced to wear a crocheted Granny square poncho in red, white, and blue with matching corduroy bell-bottomed pants. I loved my Granny dearly for teaching me to knit, but thankfully did not get my fashion sense from her. :)

I share your view on ponchos...stemming from one I owned during the late '60's from Mexico...enough said about that. It did go nicely with the embroidered jeans. My favorite aunt....Auntie Mame! A great movie.

Sorry wouldn't let me leave a link. But it is "The Freaks of Mayfair" by E.F. Benson. If you google, you'll find a link to a beautiful Folio version, with lovely illustrations, including one of Aunt Georgie doing his embroidery!

I had to pick myself up off the floor to write this, I was laughing so hard! You sound like a perfect uncle!! And the hood is amazing -- I'm sure she will love it far and away more than anything she's seen in catalogs or Disney movies.

I too despise ponchos. I'm hoping that this pattern would cure me of it just enough to knit one for my daughter who loves them. She was given one by my mother ( who also dressed me in uncountable 70's horrors. Which were hideous even at the time.) Child O'mine also loves pink. "Pink is in my heart" Needless to say I look forward to the pattern, that challenge that I know it will be and seeing my child's smile.

Franklin, that must be the most perfectly delicate, perfectly drapey, perfectly lacey, and perfectly pink hood ever... Abigail is such a lucky little girl... thank you for sharing that precious photo with us!

Please forgive my impatience -- I have not been nagging you in the form of comments (okay, maybe just once), but "Where's the poncho?" has figured largely in my internal comments ever since you first mentioned it. The hood is perfection itself, and well worth the wait. And of course Abigail is perfection personified as well!

The 70's were not a good fashion decade - I know I owned at least one crocheted poncho...If the hood is any indication, this cape is going to be gorgeous...And that is one precious picture; I agree with previous posters, it needs to be framed....

hi bookcrafty franklin? i picked you so will receive the gift but i need to know your address and i can tell you there's no moon out here cloudy and freezing cold but sure the moon can see me thanks for commenting my doodledog you surely deserve the gift you are one of the lucky trio bye and thanks for coming and finding me and saying hi and this and that is great and i like your things and knitting and words and your niece is looking a bit like my luca cousin and her voice is the funniest part see you bookcrafty later and don't forget the address bye bye-bye

Franklin - that's as lovely, gentle, feminine and beautiful child (and PICTURE of a child) that I can imagine; she is the soul of Victorian fresh beauty. Be sure to save that one to put in a silver frame on the table on her wedding day!

I think that when the garment is complete, as a gorgeous hooded cloak, its fortunate recipient will love it even more than a poncho!And I echo what others have said about that photograph; it is beautiful.

I heard you on the radio talk about how you knit for your 4 year old niece who has you wrapped around her little finger. I laughed - I also have a 4 year old niece who similarly has me wrapped! I wish I could post a picture of her wearing the first sweater I ever knit. for her. You would LUV HER. :) Happy Niece Knitting.

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